Thread: Spinning Reel?

Originally Posted by no luck

I put the line on like everybody said to it makes no difference. I use stren and treline xl line it will be ok for a hour or so then it starts I open and close the bail by hand. I thought I was putting too much line on took a bunch off it was ok for a while then it starts again. If I don't close the bail before the bait hits the water line will just keep coming off the reel and it is a twisted mess I have cleaned and oiled the line roller

What size line are you using?

I like close to a quarter of a inch to the lip of the reel. I have tried 6 lb and 8 lb test

Originally Posted by no luck

I have tried 6 lb and 8 lb test

I'm not familiar with the reel you're using, but its spool might be too small for 6 and 8# line. That's the problem with a lot of UL reels: the tiny spools are not good for line management. Try it with 4# to see if it's any better. If that doesn't work, try a new reel.

Thanks for the help everybody

I have a Shimano IX 200R and its a bit bulky for my liking but i do like it for Multi-Species fishing. I also have a little Shakespeare reel that i like. it isnt that great but itll haul in smooth. As for rods go, i use ultralight and fly rods.

I use Okuma Avenger series spinning reels. My UL is a 20a, and the one on my medium rod is a 30a. I have never had any trouble at all from them. Nice and smooth, good drags, instant anti-reverse. No complaints at all.

Howdy-

I'm a newbie on this forum and I thought I'd weigh in on this.

I spend a lot of time fishing for larger species on both the Great Lakes and in Canada, so for me the best feature of a reel is it's durability.

Most of the spinning reels I use for panfish also double as reels for trout fishing, so they probably get a little bit more of a workout than the average UL reel.

In general I have found that paying a little extra is often worth it. After 15 or so fly in trips over the last few years, I can honestly say that there is nothing more frustrating than malfunctioning gear. I really don't have much brand loyalty- so most of my opinions are based solely on experience, not on sales pitches found in magazines.

Since this thread is regarding spinning reels, I'll keep the comments I have on their other models brief.

I have come to the following conclusions regarding the different reel brands (in no particular order)-

Shimano - In general, I have had terrible luck with most Shimano reels. I have a larger 45 size Sienna that has served me well the past few years for casting heavy baits off of beaches and breakwaters, but most of the rest of the tackle has failed me at some point. While I never had catastrophic failure with a Shimano, after a few months of hard use there has been in a noticeable decline in performance on most of them (1 low profile baitcaster, 2x Sedona spinning reels, 2x Solstice spinning reels, 1 Stradic spinning reel)

Daiwa- Most Daiwa reels I have had seem less impressive out of the box than a comparable Shimano, but hold up a lot better to hard use. The Regal series of spinning reels (decent reels at a low price point) have been plenty reliable for me, but are often lacking is smooth operation. The higher end spinning models I have owned (Tierra) were much better (but not great) in regards to smooth operation. The Sealine trolling reels have served me well on Lake Michigan for salmon, and I have had little issues with the Millionaire baitcasters.

Okuma- Good overall reels. I have had quite a few (Epixor, 2x Avengers, Fina, Metalloid, and assorted baitcasters) and all the spinning reels worked well for me. External finish if often cheap compared to other brands, but they are reliable and all I have owned continue to function. Their trolling reels have been fine for me as well - not overwhelming, but not terrible. Stick away from their baitcasters- I have had multiple issues with the round reels gears locking up, and the low profile's drags tend to fade over time.

Abu Garcia - I pretty much avoid these entirely. I have had multiple failures with both the Cardinal spinning reels (drag systems especially) and the carriage screws on the Ambassadeur reels always seem to fail me at the worst possible time.

Pinnacle - I have only used these reels once or twice, and performance was underwhelming (poor line distribution, stacking at the corners of the spool)

Shakespeare - Cheap reels, but the Catera spinning reels I have had have performed adequately.

Mitchell - I am not a fan of the 300/308 line. They are fine enough reels, I just think that they are slightly overpriced for what you get. I have an Avocet Gold UL that I used trout fishing for a few years that have served me well though- it now gets a lot of use on a 5' UL for bluegills.

Quantum - I have mixed opinions on Quantums. I have had a few failures with their lower end stuff (Array, Snapshot) but have had nothing but exceptional performance with reels from the PT line. I have multiple baitcasters (Energy PT, Accurist PT, Kinetic PT) and spinning reels (2x Catalyst PT, Energy PT, 3x Response Ti) that have seen lots of hard use without skipping a beat. They are built to withstand hard use and have lots of features that prevent failure (titanium bails, magnets instead of bail springs, etc). Furthermore, the only real issue I have ever had on a PT reel (the original Response Ti, before they used the PT name) came with a factory defect. When I contacted Quantum regarding the issue, they sent me a brand new Catalyst PT (which at the time cost about 20% more than the Response Ti). Most of the reels I use now on fly-ins are Quantum PTs.

Sorry for the long winded answer. I guess to sum it up, the spinning reels I would buy would be a Daiwa or Okuma if I am looking to spend less than $100, and for a purchase over $100 it would be a Quantum PT of some sort.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by no luck

That is the reel I've been using and ready dunk it in the lake

. . I THROW 1/32 JIGS FOR BREAM BUT CATCH SOME NICE BASS .THIS IS MY FOURTH YR. WITH THIS ULTRA-LITE SET UP . ALSO THROW A TINY POP-R FOR BASS WITH IT AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS . 6LB. STREN IS ALL I USE .WISH I COULD SEE THE REEL . WHEN I BASS FISH CALCUTTAS ARE ALL I USE AND CATFISH WITH ABU GARCIA 6000'S .